Let’s Talk About It — Day 16 of 30Guests in 30Days

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind for us all.

Dearest readers, it's Day 16 of Let's Talk About It with #30Guestsin30Days on DETAILS.

On a cool but breezy Sunday night, my room had a bright reflection of light. It was from the moon. It had been a long time since I experienced such a thing, and I was excited. The last time I remember having such feelings was in my childhood. My sisters and I, together with other kids in the compound, would lay on the mat on the balcony and stare at the sky, the full bright moon staring back at us. We all would exchange stories we've heard about the image we see on the moon.

I'm feeling somewhat different about the moon tonight, and I think I am concluding that we all see what we choose to see on the moon. That image we know, it's all a representation of something in our mind.

So today, I'm representing the image of the moon with 'hope' because that was all I could think of as I held my gaze on the moon and the beaming sky. Perhaps I could only think of hope because of the circumstances I found myself in. For some years now, I have been passionate about education, leading me to teach in a low-income community through a non-profit organization called Teach for Nigeria.

On several days, I find myself helpless. This day was no different. Earlier that day at work, I had desperately wished things could be better with and for my learners because of some things that had happened to a few of them, most of which had to do with them being disadvantaged.

When I feel helpless, I can only hope. I hope they grow into the best version of themselves. I hope they rise above this disadvantage.

The deteriorating state of learners in the country is alarming, especially in underserved communities where I teach. The marginalization is getting wider. The wide gap between children in the city and those in rural settings is another situation that leaves me helpless.

How long are we going to hope for things to get better? How much longer will we hold hope ransom for?

Society seems blind to the educational inequality in the country. Teachers seem unbothered by the increasing number of learners churned out yearly who cannot read. Teachers pray earnestly not to be posted in rural communities, forgetting there are great minds who need the proper guidance. Leaders care less about educational funds.

A country's true wealth is in its people's development and growth in its learning system. Are we missing it as a country? Are we failing generations to come?

We need hope builders and young leaders who will work behind the scenes to raise the coming generations. We need individuals committed to the growth and development of the future generation. We need to bridge the gap of educational inequality.

Again, let us HOPE to get it right someday…

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